Outside of the worlds of thoroughbred racing, rodeo sports, team sports on horseback, and horse pulling events, there are two main forms of equestrian competition, both of which are official Olympic disciplines. These disciplines are dressage and jumping.
Dressage involves horses carrying riders smoothly and gracefully in different directions and at difference paces. Judges assess the fluidity and gracefulness of the horses’ movements as well as their immediate and accurate obedience.
Jumping, also known as show jumping or stadium jumping, requires horses and riders to navigate various obstacles, clearing many by leaping over them. Different jumping competitions assess different sets of criteria, including the number of jumps made and the form taken while clearing them.
Many equestrian events incorporate various elements of dressage and jumping within a single competition. Olympic-style equestrian sports occur at both the individual and the team level.